Earlier this year I was given this incredible photograph showing three generations of my Gilbert family outside their house at Burnt Chimney Drove, Littleport, Cambridgeshire.

Second from the right (not counting the dog!) is my Gt Gt Grandfather, James Gilbert – farmer of Littleport. His wife, Elizabeth (née Howlett) stands proudly next to him. My Great Grandmother, Clara Gilbert is 6th from the right, with at least two of her sisters next to her.

Third from the left, is Caroline Coe – my Gt Gt Gt Grandmother – Elizabeth Gilbert (Howlett)’s mother. She married Thomas Howlett in nearby Mildenhall, Suffolk but when Elizabeth was at most, 2yrs old, he died in his mid 20s. Caroline re-married to a Robert Coe and they lived next door to the Gilbert family in this photo.

I’m identifying the photo as being about 1910-1916. It has to be before 1916 as this is when both James Gilbert and his wife Elizabeth died. Caroline Coe died shortly afterwards.

It’s impressive to find a photo with so many relatives in it AND outside their house. I previously had no photographs of any of these people with the exception of my own Gt Grandmother.

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About Andrew Martin

+Andrew Martin is owner and lead writer for History Repeating and Family Tree UK. Genealogist, historian, writer, photographer and would-be archaeologist. He'd love a time machine, but worries that it might take all the fun out of it.

2 Responses to The Gilbert family at Littleport

Stumbled across this wonderful photograph while trying to find information about Burnt Chimney Yard. From the proportions and general layout this looks like it is our house – can you confirm which house on the drove it is? (The map view on Flickr shows a spot on the other side of the road – I presume this is just a mis location on the map?).

If it does turn out to be the same house would it be possible to get a copy of the scanned photograph? and do you have any additional views of the house?

I found this a very very interesting site, and love the old photographs. Even though I have no connection to the families involved it is nice to be able to see some of the faces from history who worked and lived on Burnt Chimney Drove.